A possible solution to London's garbage collection

A new report at city hall concludes Londoners can have a set collection day that won't change for an additional $10 a year.

Currently Londoners receive 42 collections per year, but never on the same day two weeks in a row. City council may soon consider changing that. The first option would cost homeowners $7 more a year, but weekly collection days would still change after every statutory holiday.

The most costly option is for $10 more. It would keep collection days consistent every week, requiring collection on either statutory holidays or Saturdays.

Councillor Harold Usher says it’s the second most common complaint he receives, and Londoners may now be willing to pay more.

“Is today garbage day? Was it yesterday? They know its Wednesday morning, I need to put my garbage out, and I think that's the convenience that they are purchasing,” says Usher.

The head of environmental services for the city says the current system was put in place in 1996.

“We did it to save money and it has proven reasonably successful,” says Jay Stanford. “It has saved $17 to $20-million over that time period.”

Usher points out a $10 increase represents $1.1 to $1.3 million that would have to be found in the city budget or through a tax increase. Homeowners are already in for a $55 increase to water and sewer bills next year.

“There are people on very fixed incomes and it’s not the $10 worry about,” says Usher. “It’s the $10 plus $55, plus anything else we add this year.”

This won't mean an end to the garbage calendar, as it will still be required to notify homeowners about leaf collection and other special collections.